Input on possible purchase
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Input on possible purchase
Hello all, I'm thinking about purchasing a new F-150 for my family, and found this one near me. I'm going to take a look at it in the near future, and would like any input anyone could provide me as I'm not too familiar with these vehicles. Here is a link to the vehicle.
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...=&cardist=5544
The basic info for those that don't want to click the link:
Price
$11,995
Mileage 69,629
Exterior Color Red
Interior Color Gray (cloth)
Engine 8 Cylinder Gasoline (4.6L)
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 2 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Four Door (SuperCrew)
Stock No. 13711
VIN 1FTRW12WX4KB58546
Running Boards/Bars,Power Door Locks,Power Windows,Tachometer,Air Conditioning,Tilt Steering Wheel,Cruise Control,Day/Night Lever,Front Bucket Seats,Reclining Seats,Cloth Upholstery,AM/FM Stereo Radio,Power Outside Mirrors,CD Player,Privacy Glass,Dual Air Bags
It's from a small-time dealer that I've never dealt with, so I'm a little cautious about that. The Carfax comes back clean, but it comes back clean for a vehicle I own that's been in an accident, so I know that's not very telling.
I'm mechanically savvy enough to work on my own vehicles, and if I heard a slight tick from a Honda, I'd have an idea what it is. But I know nothing about larger vehicles, so I'm a little lost on what to look out for.
Based on the engine and the options, can anyone tell me what to look for?
Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...=&cardist=5544
The basic info for those that don't want to click the link:
Price
$11,995
Mileage 69,629
Exterior Color Red
Interior Color Gray (cloth)
Engine 8 Cylinder Gasoline (4.6L)
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 2 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Four Door (SuperCrew)
Stock No. 13711
VIN 1FTRW12WX4KB58546
Running Boards/Bars,Power Door Locks,Power Windows,Tachometer,Air Conditioning,Tilt Steering Wheel,Cruise Control,Day/Night Lever,Front Bucket Seats,Reclining Seats,Cloth Upholstery,AM/FM Stereo Radio,Power Outside Mirrors,CD Player,Privacy Glass,Dual Air Bags
It's from a small-time dealer that I've never dealt with, so I'm a little cautious about that. The Carfax comes back clean, but it comes back clean for a vehicle I own that's been in an accident, so I know that's not very telling.
I'm mechanically savvy enough to work on my own vehicles, and if I heard a slight tick from a Honda, I'd have an idea what it is. But I know nothing about larger vehicles, so I'm a little lost on what to look out for.
Based on the engine and the options, can anyone tell me what to look for?
Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited by JTurtle; May 28, 2009 at 11:48 AM.
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From: Burleson/Athens/Brownsboro, TX
You give up some power with the 4.6 but it's a well tested engine and very durable. Drive it and see if it has enough power for you. If you will be doing any heavy towing, I would hold out for a 5.4. That truck looks clean and price is not too bad. I'm sure there is a little negotiating room.
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Jim
Jim
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I went to look at the truck and the previous owner was a smoker (strike one). The rear was "bumpy," so it either needed to be balanced or the tire had a flat spot from sitting (I only drove it ~ 15 miles, and it did seem to be less pronounced towards the end of the test). After closer inspection, the tires looked like they had slight camber wear and that the rear tires were "toed in" a bit -- the outside was VERY low on tread (at the wear-bars), inside was near 50-60% (strike 2). The rear brakes looked "scored" and the rear bounced around quite a bit while braking, which meant to me new rotor and new pads at the least (strike 2.5). Lastly, the guy wouldn't budge on the price at all (strike 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7). Not to mention, as several people have said in this and other threads, the 4.6 just didn't have the "oomph" I'm looking for. Moving from a rice-rocket to this, I felt like it took an unfathomable amount of time to get up to passing speed (and with the brakes, getting back down to cruising speed was sketchy)
Now my questions:
(1) Do full-sized pickup trucks have slight positive camber to accommodate loading, or was the suspension of this truck out of whack?
(2) Do the rear wheels have alignment issues?
(3) Do "truck tires" flat-out easily?
That all being said, the thing I was most impressed with was the A/C and heating. I have never seen something make a 60-degree temperature change so quickly in my life.
Now my questions:
(1) Do full-sized pickup trucks have slight positive camber to accommodate loading, or was the suspension of this truck out of whack?
(2) Do the rear wheels have alignment issues?
(3) Do "truck tires" flat-out easily?
That all being said, the thing I was most impressed with was the A/C and heating. I have never seen something make a 60-degree temperature change so quickly in my life.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burleson/Athens/Brownsboro, TX
I went to look at the truck and the previous owner was a smoker (strike one). The rear was "bumpy," so it either needed to be balanced or the tire had a flat spot from sitting (I only drove it ~ 15 miles, and it did seem to be less pronounced towards the end of the test). After closer inspection, the tires looked like they had slight camber wear and that the rear tires were "toed in" a bit -- the outside was VERY low on tread (at the wear-bars), inside was near 50-60% (strike 2). The rear brakes looked "scored" and the rear bounced around quite a bit while braking, which meant to me new rotor and new pads at the least (strike 2.5). Lastly, the guy wouldn't budge on the price at all (strike 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7). Not to mention, as several people have said in this and other threads, the 4.6 just didn't have the "oomph" I'm looking for. Moving from a rice-rocket to this, I felt like it took an unfathomable amount of time to get up to passing speed (and with the brakes, getting back down to cruising speed was sketchy)
Now my questions:
(1) Do full-sized pickup trucks have slight positive camber to accommodate loading, or was the suspension of this truck out of whack?
(2) Do the rear wheels have alignment issues?
(3) Do "truck tires" flat-out easily?
That all being said, the thing I was most impressed with was the A/C and heating. I have never seen something make a 60-degree temperature change so quickly in my life.
Now my questions:
(1) Do full-sized pickup trucks have slight positive camber to accommodate loading, or was the suspension of this truck out of whack?
(2) Do the rear wheels have alignment issues?
(3) Do "truck tires" flat-out easily?
That all being said, the thing I was most impressed with was the A/C and heating. I have never seen something make a 60-degree temperature change so quickly in my life.
Lastly, I bought a car previously owned by a smoker, and I will never do that again. You should look some more.
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From: Augusta, GA
What Jay said. All of your concerns are not normal by a long shot. Sounds like the truck wasnt taken care of as much as it should have been. I personaly would deal with a dealer who wont come off of SOMETHING, be it price, interest, etc.
Keep looking.
Keep looking.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 361
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Yes...keep looking. Its a buyers market right now. I just bought a very clean 2007 F150 XLT Supercab 4X4, 5.4L. 27K miles, no smoker, power everything. $17,600 OTD. You'll know it when you find it. Good luck to you.
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From: Pearl Harbor
Now my questions:
(1) Do full-sized pickup trucks have slight positive camber to accommodate loading, or was the suspension of this truck out of whack?
(1) Do full-sized pickup trucks have slight positive camber to accommodate loading, or was the suspension of this truck out of whack?
no...see my answer to #2
(2) Do the rear wheels have alignment issues?no...basically it sounds like the front end is out of alignment, and somebody rotated the tires
the truck might have also had a leveling kit installed, and then removed
(3) Do "truck tires" flat-out easily?the truck might have also had a leveling kit installed, and then removed
not in the 17" and 18" tires...the 20" rims seem to be the only ones that flat spot...but even then, on my 20's it hasn't happened yet.
now, towards winter when it gets colder, they most likely will...but that should be cured after 1-2 miles of driving
That all being said, the thing I was most impressed with was the A/C and heating. I have never seen something make a 60-degree temperature change so quickly in my life.now, towards winter when it gets colder, they most likely will...but that should be cured after 1-2 miles of driving
in your case, that truck has probably been sitting for months
mine works great...after 10 minutes. new one on me
basically sounds like you found a truck that had the snot beat out of it, and now that dealer is stuck with a pretty big loss that he is trying to "pass the buck"
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From: Texas
Glad you changed your mind, hold out for the 5.4, I just traded in a Super Duty because it didn't have enough engine for it's size. Nothing sucks worse than having the truck you want with the wrong engine. No offense to the 4.6 owners, I just like adding upgrades because I want to, not because I have to.